The Institute of Supply Management reported today that the service sector unexpectedly expanded in April.

The index of non-manufacturing activity rose to 50.7 from 47.9 in March, the Institute reported. A downturn in services activity in March was the only pause in what has been broad growth in services for the past 15 months.

New orders, a key source of future growth, showed renewed expansion by rising to 50.6 from 47.7 the prior month, the Institute said.